Struggling plant!

Poor thing. It looks to me like it was planted too low in the pot (ie; soil level should be nearer to the top of the pot), then was watered insufficiently, and possibly partially frozen. Does the pot have drainage holes? If it were mine, I’d start by watering it well and see if some leaves get more turgid after several hours or even a day. Then I’d remove it from that pot and replant it in the same pot at a proper level — or different pot if this one doesn’t have drainage holes. Any leaves that are completely brown/mushy can be trimmed or removed when repotting.

Or you can divide out the healthiest rhizomes and start a new pot. No need to buy new.

Thanks! This pot does have drainage holes. I have a plastic plant water collector under it (I don't know the actual name for it)

So it sounds like I should throw out the current soil to replace it.

Do I need any particular kind of soil? I can order it today

How much and often should I water it? I was thinking the once every 3 weeks approach was good but maybe more often initially?

Will the leaves that are falling over possibly come back to health?

You will need commercial cactus and succulent mix combined 50-50 with pumice or perlite. Clean all the old potting mix off the roots. Toss the old potting mix.

I am not sure what a “plastic water collector” is, but the plant should not sit in water. Don’t put gravel or anything in the bottom of the pot as some recommend. succulents don’t like wet feet

When repotting trim off leaves that are damaged or bent over. Take away any dead material. Clean old potting mix off the roots. Tidy up!

After repotting, don’t water for a few days. When you do water, put the plant in a sink or outside and water until it runs out the hole. After that, do not water on a schedule. Water when it needs it. Take a wooden skewer, insert into the potting mix for a few minutes, when you pull it out, if it’s damp you don’t need to water yet.

These plants are well known for growing in low light conditions, but your plant will do best if it gets some good light every day. Have fun! Nice plant.

Spring is coming, with warmer temperatures and much more light. That is a wonderful time to begin preparations for tending to this plant.

Sansevieria love warm conditions. In warmer conditions, they like more water.

Your plant looks like it was neglected, but that is ok. It looks like it had inconsistent watering and too low light conditions. There is actually a lot there to work with.

If you and this plant can wait until there is more light and warmth available outside, some warm, bright shade to begin with, and a reworking of the plant and media will really help things along.

Meanwhile, something you will see a lot here: cold + water = death. Warm + water = growth. If you water, protect from drafts and supply as much light as you can, without burning your plant with the sun.

Your plant looks like Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii'.

I just received this pot

-->>> i would learn how to water it properly ... and leave it alone for a month or two.. and see how it settles down ..

the injured leaves will not recover ... but as time goes by ... the plant will tell us which should be cut off ... as long as a leaf is green.. it is doing its work ... converting light into energy ...

do not cut off all the ugly parts at once ... it might need the energy potentially lost ... if you cut away half its leaves ...

socks said: I am not sure what a “plastic water collector”

==>> i presume he means he has a tray under it.. so as to not ruin his floor ... which is fine.. as long it is just to trap excess drainage ... do not let the pot sit in excess water ...

in spring.. take it outside.. unpot it.. look at the roots.. and repot it into a cleaned out pot with fresh appropriate media ...

but here is the issue .. are you willing to spend say... 20 bucks in supplies ... to save a plant you can replace for 15 bucks .... the old cost/benefit ratio ... sometimes its easier and cheaper to divest ... this isnt grandmas 50 year old treasure... its something the prior owner wanted to throw away ....

youve taken on a problem.. dont spend more than its worth trying to save it ... i mean really.. its worth nothing.. since that is what you paid for it ... lol ..

on the other hand.. if you are really getting into houseplants.. and want to gain knowledge and experience then this is a good plant to practice on ...

ken

Todd, the best advice you have received here is, in my opinion, from socks. I grow MANY different Sansevierias (although not the common snake plant like this one is). For any Sans to end up in the shape we see in your photos takes some extreme "bad plant behavior" and/or extreme neglect.

But that said -- and I say this as a person with more than 80 potted succulents -- I think you must consider what Ken said after "But here's the issue......" This particular Sans variety is very common and not expensive. And rehabbing it will be a big project and a moderately costly one. If you are in it for the experience of trying -- fine. But if you're desiring a good specimen snake plant -- you can do far better at Lowes or Home Depot for $20. Either way, good luck with your choice.

Thanks so much for all the advice! I was all ready to buy new mix and other things but rehab feels like a longer road than buying new. I've learned so much from this thread! Id like to put it all to use

It feels really good to have happy endings

Why not pull the plant out of the pot. Remove bad leaves and bad roots. Fluff up the old soil and discard any mineral salt incrusted soil. Repot Using the same old soil. Wait a few days before watering, then follow a proper watering regime and see what happens- all you have spent is time. If the plant perks up, buy new soil in spring and repeat the above process. Great learning tool.

I would say before you discard this plant, if the rhizomes are not rotting and mushy, you can just wash all the soil and put the plant roots and rhizomes directly in a bucket filled with water, and change the water every 3 to 4 days, use something to tie and keep all the stems (leaves) straight. and see if it recovers to it's true shape. it might! (after a few weeks but way faster than soil)

You can of course buy a new one anytime but IMHO it worth a try.